Collet assembly with ribbon fiber holder

Abstract

A breakout device that separates and protects individual fibers from a ribbon fiber cable. The breakout device includes a collet assembly that secures the ribbon fiber cable in the device. The collet assembly includes a base having a tapered internal bore, a collet positioned within the internal bore and a nut positioned over the base. The collet includes an aperture that receives the ribbon fiber cable and fingers that retain the ribbon fiber cable in the collet. When the nut is tightened over the base, the nut forces the collet further into the base thereby compressing the fingers axially along the cable.

1. A collet assembly for securing a ribbon fiber cable, the collet assembly comprising:
 a base having a tapered internal bore; 
 a collet positioned within the internal bore of the base, the collet having an aperture for receiving the ribbon fiber cable and fingers for retaining the ribbon fiber cable; 
 the internal bore of the base includes at least one key and the collet includes at least one slot, when the collet is positioned in the internal bore of the base, the at least one slot receives the at least one key for preventing the collet from rotating in the base; and 
 a nut for securing the collet within the base, 
 
     whereby as the nut is tightened over the base, the nut forces the collet further into the base thereby compressing the fingers axially along the ribbon fiber cable. 
   
   
     2. The collet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the collet is formed from an elastomeric material. 
   
   
     3. The collet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture in the collet is rectangular. 
   
   
     4. The collet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fingers of the collet have a tapered profile that corresponds to the tapered internal bore of the base. 
   
   
     5. A breakout device for a ribbon fiber cable, the breakout device comprising:
 a housing having an upper half and a lower half; 
 a collet assembly disposed within the housing, the collet assembly having a base with a tapered internal bore; a collet positioned within the internal bore of the base, the collet having an aperture for receiving the ribbon fiber cable and fingers for retaining the ribbon fiber cable; and a nut for securing the collet within the base, 
 whereby as the nut is tightened over the base, the nut forces the collet further into the base thereby compressing the fingers axially along the ribbon fiber cable. 
 
   
   
     6. The breakout device of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a boot disposed within the housing and positioned adjacent to the collet assembly for controlling the ribbon fiber cable; and 
 a tube holder disposed within the housing and positioned adjacent the collet assembly opposite the boot for holding individuals fibers from the ribbon fiber cable. 
 
   
   
     7. The breakout device of  claim 5 , wherein the collet is formed from an elastomeric material. 
   
   
     8. The breakout device of  claim 5 , wherein the aperture in the collet is rectangular. 
   
   
     9. The breakout device of  claim 5 , wherein the fingers of the collet have a tapered profile that corresponds to the tapered internal bore of the base. 
   
   
     10. The breakout device of  claim 5 , wherein the internal bore of the compression base includes at least one key and the collet includes at least one slot, whereby when the collet is positioned in the internal bore of the compression base, the at least one slot receives the at least one key for preventing the collet from rotating in the compression base. 
   
   
     11. The breakout device of  claim 6 , wherein the upper half and the lower half of the housing have ribs and the boot and the tube holder include slots, wherein the slots in the boot and tube holder are configured to receive the ribs in the upper and lower halves of the housing to secure the boot and the tube holder in the housing. 
   
   
     12. The breakout device of  claim 6 , wherein the boot has a rectangular opening to receive the ribbon fiber cable therethrough.